National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Ottawa 5, New Jersey 2
When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, October 17, 2013
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario
Referees: Darcy Burchell, Chris Rooney
Linesmen: Lonnie Cameron, Derek Nansen
Attendance: 18867

Senators 5, Devils 2: Defenseman Erik Karlsson and captain Jason Spezza each had a goal and two assists as Ottawa won its home opener and kept New Jersey as the league's only winless team.

Craig Anderson made 40 saves and Bobby Ryan had a goal and an assist for the Senators, who were finally back in their home area after opening the season with a six-game road trip. Zack Smith and Milan Michalek also scored for Ottawa, which beat the Devils for the fourth straight time.

Travis Zajac and Steve Bernier scored third-period goals in a belated rally for New Jersey (0-4-3), which extended its franchise-worst start to a season to seven games on the final leg of a five-game Canadian road swing.

Karlsson blasted a shot past Martin Brodeur (18 saves) 4 1/2 minutes into the contest and Ryan doubled the lead just over two minutes later, skating from behind the net and whistling a shot past the future Hall of Famer.

Karlsson set up Smith for a one-timer from the right side of the net with 1:19 left in the second period to extend the lead to 3-0, but the Devils finally got on the board 54 seconds into the third when Zajac converted on a 5-on-3 power play. Bernier cut it to 3-2 with 9:01 to play, but Michalek restored the two-goal advantage with 4:48 remaining and Spezza added an empty-net tally.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Ryan has a goal in five of the past six games for the Senators, who improved to 12-6-3 in home openers. ... Zajac's tally was the only one in seven chances with the man advantage for the Devils, who are 2-for-22 on the power play this season. ... Karlsson recorded his first three point game since the season opener in 2012-13.
Top Game Performances
 
New Jersey   Ottawa
Steve Bernier 1 Points Erik Karlsson 3
Steve Bernier 1 Goals Erik Karlsson 1
Patrik Elias 1 Assists Erik Karlsson 2
Travis Zajac 1 Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Martin Brodeur .818 Save Percentage Craig Anderson .952
Martin Brodeur 18 Saves Craig Anderson 40
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
New Jersey 42 2 1-7 4-4 10 28
Ottawa 23 5 0-4 6-7 14 36
Upcoming Games
  • Ottawa will play their next game at home against Edmonton. The Senators have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .400 after a loss.
  • New Jersey will play their next game at home against NY Rangers. The Devils have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.